The Garden at Midsummer

The Garden at Midsummer

The Summer Solstice brings bonfires and frolicking Greenmen to mind. The triumph of the Sun is a blessing in your garden. The long, bright, hot days bring challenges as well. While many of your plants will rejoice in the lengthening sun, they will get very thirsty if rainfall is deficient. Generally your garden will need about an inch of water every week. Container plants will dry out even faster.

The depth of summer can bring a certain lull or stagnation to the garden. Many plants, having flowered, will put their resources and energy toward fruit/seed setting. Annuals may have gotten leggy, and without deadheading many perennials will start to peter out as well. To encourage prolonged blooming, remove spent flowers often. Some plants, such as coreopsis and phlox will put on a whole new display if you cut them back drastically. Before any grand pruning, make an offering of compost, or some readily usable Nitrogen amendment (I like used coffeegrounds for a quick Nitrogen jolt) before and a thorough watering after. Try to time pruning (and transplanting) to occur during the less stressful temperatures of the early morning or early evening.

It is never too late in the season to let the spirits in your garden offer you inspiration for improvements, changes, even new beds. Many plants finished with their flowering cycle can be divided now, particularly iris. Crowded plants are rarely happy. Moving divisions to a new home can be just what is called for to reintroduce harmony to your living landscape.

Water MagicWhen the rains do not meet our hydration needs, we must supplement. This is part of the bargain we strike with our plant allies: in return for growing where and how we ask, we agree to provide them with the resources they require. Water is of paramount importance. A plant that experiences water-stress, even for a day is less productive than a plant whose needs are regularly met.

One of the best gifts you can give your plant and soil companions is mulch. Mulch helps maintain a regular soil temperature and reduces water loss due to evaporation. Additionally, as mulch breaks down, it amends the soil, feeding the creatures who keep the soil vital.

When it comes to watering, sooner is better than later. Water earlier in the day, and never right before nightfall. You want to give your plants a chance to dry their leaves before it gets dark or else they are more risk from slugs and molds. Watering during the heat of the day will waste your water as it evaporates before doing your plants lasting good. Making watering part of a morning devotional, or just a standing visiting time with your garden is an excellent way of ensuring this task gets done in the most efficient way possible.

Your container-grown plants will really feel the drying effects of the time around Midsummer. You may find your potted plants need water everyday. Even if you have a very large pot, try to keep it off the ground/patio a little, allowing some air underneath the pot. In very warm and sunny climates, you may want to consider choosing lighter colored pots to help offset the cooking rays of the sun.

Fire MagicEven today bonfires play a pivotal part of Midsummer celebrations around the world. You and your garden allies can make fire a part of your Solstice observances as well.

If you are able to have a wood fire, collect the ashes and even bits of charred wood to incorporate into your compost. This can really up the nutritional ante of your compost. Wood ash will lower the acidity of the soil and can provide some key nutrients; potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Avoid using a high-ash compost on acid loving plants (blueberries, bog andromeda, rhododendrons, azaleas, etc.). However, in most beds and with most plants a little ash can be wonderful.

Ash from a sacred Fire will not only increase the fertility of your compost or soil, but will share the blessings you received in ritual and the magic you may have worked with your plant and soil allies--and wouldn’t you want to share the Blessings with them? This increases the bonds between you and the land, between your spirit and the spirits surrounding you.

To Do: water to supplement rainfall--special attention to potted plants prune spent blooms divide & relocate Thin fruit on bearing trees Turn the compost (is it wet enough?) if you mow, raise your mower blade weed regularly make sure veggies and vines are well-supported you can keep sowing bush beans and herbs weekly even lettuce can be sown in a shaded area save those bonfire ashes for the compost or sheet mulch

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